Problems with sleep eloquently indicate the presence of problems with the nervous system. Insomnia is also characteristic of some psychiatric illnesses; people with addictions (alcoholism, drug addiction) often suffer from sleep problems. It also happens that the inability to fall asleep and sleep all night develops due to excessive psychological stress during the day. Such patients are in no hurry to see a neurologist or a psychiatrist. How to solve the problem with sleep, if most of the powerful sleeping pills can be purchased at the pharmacy exclusively by prescription from a doctor? Light over-the-counter sleep medications will come to the rescue. Without a prescription, you can purchase about six high-quality and effective drugs - they will be discussed in this article.
Causes of Insomnia
Most often, insomnia is not an independent pathology, but a symptom of neurological or psychological diseases. Often disturbance of the phases of sleep is associated with the following neurological diseases:
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- cervical osteochondrosis (with pinching of certain nerve roots between the vertebrae - the so-called "radicular syndrome"), in addition to insomnia, can also provoke headaches, impaired vision and hearing, etc.
- cerebrovascular accident - it can be both a consequence of traumatic brain injuries and may haunt a person from birth - for example, due to birth trauma or incorrect delivery;
- impaired functioning of neurons of one reason or another.
Psychiatric causes of insomnia:
- chronic alcoholism leads to serious problems of not only a psychiatric, but also a neurological nature - as a result of regular intoxication, hundreds of thousands of neurons die, the mind weakens - depressive and anxiety disorders appear, delirium can begin. Insomnia in people with alcohol dependence is a common occurrence;
- anxiety-depressive disorder, provoked by a violation of the production of neurotransmitters, also leads to disturbances in the phases of sleep: the patient often wakes up at four to five in the morning, while he falls asleep at midnight;
- obsessive-compulsive disorder often causes sleep problems;
- eating disorders are accompanied by many symptoms, including increased anxiety, self-harm, insomnia, psychosomatic disorders.
Of course, insomnia can also haunt people who will not be diagnosed with neurological or psychiatric problems. This situation is not uncommon. Such patients are looking for a way to purchase drugs to improve sleep. It is impossible to get a really strong sleeping pill without a prescription from a doctor.
Features of the purchase of sleeping pills
Since last year, a law came into force that implies strict punishment for any pharmacist who decides at his own risk to sell a potent drug (they are listed on a special list) to a person who does not have a doctor’s prescription. A prescription is a document certified by one or two seals from a medical institution, drawn up and filled out in a special form.
Is it possible to buy medicine for sleep without a prescription? Yes, but such a drug will not have a noticeable effect on the psyche. Antidepressants and tranquilizers without a prescription from a doctor today will not sell a single pharmacy. But a mild sedative for sleeping without a prescription for adults can be bought. Usually even herbal preparations based on motherwort can return a sound and healthy sleep. Of course, if, in addition to insomnia, the patient suffers from a depressive disorder or from neurological diseases, then he will first need to alleviate the condition of the underlying disease.
If insomnia is only a symptom, and the underlying disease is complex, then there will be no sense in taking light sleeping pills. If the patient doubts the causes of insomnia, then it is better to consult a neurologist. An experienced doctor will quickly clarify the clinical picture and make a correct diagnosis based on the totality of complaints from the patient. Making a diagnosis is the main step in order to prescribe the medicine that really helps.
List of effective sleep medications
The following drugs can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor:
- Melaxen
- Donormil.
- Corvalol (or its analogue, Valocordin).
- "Fitosedan".
- "New Passit."
- Persen Forte.
- "Glycine".
None of these drugs require a special prescription. Sleep preparations without side effects, without causing drug or psychological dependence - this is not a myth. The main pros and cons of each drug are listed below. Knowing their individual characteristics and reactions to certain components, each patient will be able to choose the best drug for sleep. Without a prescription, an adult can purchase these drugs at any pharmacy - the pharmacist has no right to either ask about the purpose of the purchase, or require any document to purchase the medicine.
"Melaxen": instruction, cost, action
The cost of packaging with 24 tablets (3 mg of active ingredient in each) is about 600 rubles. It is a popular and safe sleeping pill. Without a prescription from a doctor, you can purchase this drug in almost any pharmacy. Judging by patient reviews, Melaxen is almost always available. The main active ingredient is melatonin, this is the so-called "sleep hormone". When taken in the recommended daily dosage (one tablet) half an hour before the expected moment of falling asleep, melatonin helps trigger the processes in the body that are characteristic of the onset of the sleep phase. As a result, almost everyone falls asleep: even with serious diagnoses that prevent normal falling asleep, a person is very quickly immersed in sound sleep.
Judging by the reviews of patients with insomnia, “Melaxen” gives a pretty good sleep. In the first week of admission, there are no early awakenings, nor nightmare dreams. But after a week or two, tolerance begins to develop. This is a process in which the body adapts to a regular dosage of melatonin, and a person needs a large dosage. If tolerance has occurred, then you should refrain from taking it for several nights, and then again start taking one or two tablets half an hour before the expected moment of falling asleep. Many patients in this drug are attracted by the fact that the medicine can be bought without a prescription.
The sleep preparation Melaxen can be recommended for mild and moderate forms of insomnia, in the complex therapy of functional disorders accompanied by sleep disorders, and also as an independent tool for faster adaptation to quick change of time zones in order to avoid the development of the so-called jet lag).
"Donormil": features of administration and composition of the drug
The main active ingredient is doxylamine succinate. The drug has an analogue called "Sonmil", it can also be purchased without a prescription. This is a sleeping pill for sound sleep, the use of this drug provides a relatively quick (about 20 minutes) onset of sleep. It is important to take the pill just before the moment when it will be possible to indulge in sleep. Accordingly, it should be relatively dark and quiet, a person should be able to lie comfortably, feel safe. If these conditions are not met, then the drug may not have the expected effect.
Donormil has two forms of release - these are ordinary tablets and effervescent (they should be diluted in water). Judging by the reviews of patients, the second form of release (effervescent tablets) is more pronounced. The cost of packaging with 30 tablets is about 350 rubles, regardless of the form of release. In some pharmacies, effervescent tablets are slightly more expensive, the difference in cost can be up to 50 rubles).
Alas, Donormila and Sonmila have a lot of side effects. This is a series of side effects characteristic of drugs with antihistamines:
- dry mouth
- inhibited state after waking up;
- slowing down the reaction rate in some patients;
- violation of the outflow of urine;
- violation of the rhythm of breathing during sleep.
Features of use and composition of Corvalol
Corvalol, like its counterpart, Valoserdin, is often used by people to quickly fall asleep and calm the nervous system. The main active ingredient is phenobarbital. In European countries, it has long been banned, as it is capable of causing physical and psychological dependence, subject to regular use. However, in our country, Corvalol is still one of the most popular cheap sleeping pills. Without a prescription, it can be purchased at any pharmacy. If you use the drug several times, then the dependence will not develop. But if you regularly use Corvalol for a month, then the risk is great that after cancellation, a person will not be able to go into sleep at all. In exceptional cases, the drug can be used only by adults.
Drops for sleeping without a prescription are sold in any pharmacy - Corvalol or Valocordin, they are cheap (the cost of a bottle is about 50 rubles). Good sleep occurs approximately 20 minutes after taking the necessary dosage. However, patients report that with the regular use of this sleeping pill without a prescription for good sleep, there is a risk of increasing tolerance, and as a result, every evening you have to slightly increase the dosage for sleep. Increasing tolerance is extremely undesirable and eloquently reports that the use of this sleeping pill should be abandoned.
Psychiatrists and narcologists recommend the use of OTC sleeping pills with phenobarbital in the composition only if it is not possible to purchase other drugs. In addition, the liquid form of Corvalol is banned for use by people with alcohol dependence. The main ingredient of the drops is ethyl alcohol, it is in it that phenobarbital is dissolved. For people who can not take even a few drops of alcohol, there is a tablet form of release of Corvalol.
"Fitosedan" - herbal tea for a good sleep and calm
If you are looking for a fast-acting sleeping pill without prescriptions for a good night's sleep, then try Fitosedan. This tea is made from natural herbs - valerian, motherwort, peppermint, which has almost no side effects. An exception is the individual intolerance to the herbs that make up the composition. Take "Fitosedan" should be 50 ml for half an hour before each meal. However, judging by the reviews of the people who took it, the more popular way to restore normal sleep is to take a strong infusion of one sachet just half an hour before the estimated time to go to bed. After that lie down, put out the lights, do not be distracted by the TV or phone - and the dream comes. And during the night there are no awakenings, a person wakes up rested and alert. Tea will not work if you are looking for exactly the pill without a prescription. For older people, the effect of "Fitosedan" may also be weak.
The difference between herbal tea "Fitosedan" from prescription sleeping pills is that tea does not cause either physical or psychological dependence. Moreover, its effect is quite noticeable: after a single dose, patients notice a decrease in irritability, pleasant drowsiness, and a mild sedative effect.
Novo-Passit for sound sleep: instructions and patient reviews
Herbal preparation (the composition includes extracts of plants such as valerian, lemon balm, elderberry, passionflower, St. John's wort, hawthorn, hops, guaifensin). There are two forms of release - syrup and tablets. Depending on the patient’s goals, one or another form should be chosen. More often buy pills - simply because they are more convenient to take. In fact, the syrup is absorbed faster and works better in terms of reducing irritability and providing a sedative effect (which is necessary for normal falling asleep and a good long sleep). The cost of tablets is about 500-550 rubles (30 tablets per pack), syrup - about 300 rubles (bottle of 200 ml).
"Novo-Passit" is a light sleeping pill without prescription for good sleep, which can be taken by people 16 years of age and older. If possible, it is better to choose a liquid form of release. Sleeping pills for the elderly (a patient of any age can buy Novo-Passit without a prescription) is also an excellent choice. Its fast action is noted both by patients of a young age, and more respectable.
Persen-Forte: instructions, composition and reviews of patients
The drug has a mild sedative and hypnotic effect, insomnia is mentioned in the indications for use in the instructions. It has a mild antispasmodic effect, so it can be used to treat migraines provoked by various kinds of sleep disorders. Unlike Novo-Passit, it does not contain guaifensin, and unlike Corvalol, it does not have an obsessive smell and phenobarbital in its composition. You can buy Persen-Forte without a prescription. These sleeping pills for the elderly often become indispensable, tolerance develops. So it should be borne in mind: if it became difficult or even impossible to go to bed without a drug, then for some time you should stop taking it.
This drug has a slight minus - there is no liquid dosage form. Persen-Forte is only available in tablet form. Usually the liquid form has the desired effect faster, so some patients still opt for Novo-Passit. Persen-Forte is not recommended for people with biliary tract diseases, as well as for children under 12 years old. With prolonged use (especially when using large dosages) it can cause constipation.
Amino acid "Glycine" and its effect on sleep quality
"Glycine" - inexpensive (about 70 rubles per package) small white tablets, have a sweetish taste. Affect cognitive functions, improve cellular metabolism. The main active ingredient is the amino acid glycine. Thanks to regular intake, a dream is established, a person becomes psychologically and emotionally more stable. "Glycine" is one of the few drugs whose action has been proven, and which are guaranteed not to cause drug dependence. True, very impressionable individuals prone to hypochondria may develop psychological dependence (but this statement applies to absolutely all drugs, including those with a placebo effect).
"Glycine" should be taken during periods of increased psycho-emotional stress, with sleep problems, with memory impairment. A noticeable effect occurs after about a week of regular intake: after a single dose, the effect of the drug will not appear. As a rule, neurologists recommend drinking Glycine with a course of at least one month. Tablets should be consumed sublingually, that is, dissolve under the tongue.